Archway in line for £2m revamp of roads layout

Published: 15 October, 2010
by PETER GRUNER

A “SUPER crossing” and a new public open space to bring new life to traffic-clogged Archway roundabout are among a £2million package of  improvements expected to be approved by Islington council next week.

Residents cautiously welcomed the schemes but warned that there have been at least three previous attempts to regenerate the area, including several public consultations, all of which have come to nothing.

Executive Member for Regeneration, Labour councillor Paul Convery, admitted that the schemes – in the current poor financial climate – will need the support of Conservative London Mayor Boris Johnson’s traffic arm, Transport for London (TfL).

Cllr Convery said: “TfL are not being obstructive but they are talking about building in a two year time period to test and evaluate the scheme and that will be tiresome. 

“We think it could be evaluated within a year.”

New traffic lights will allow pedestrians to walk directly from the pavement at Archway Tube across to the roundabout, rather than currently having to cross via three separate roads.

The plan is also to create a new public space on the roundabout which could accommodate the Archway market, currently in Holloway Road, or other on-street activities.

An Oxford Circus-style  “scatter crossing” at the junction of Holloway Road, Junction Road, Lower Highgate Hill and Lower St John’s Road  would also be introduced. It would provide a simultaneous all-red phase on all four arms of the junction, allowing pedestrians to cross in whichever direction they choose.

Cllr Convery, who will be bringing the proposals to Thursday’s Executive meeting, said that  the schemes would make the traffic island – where there is the Archway Tavern, Methodist Hall and several cafés and restaurants – more accessible to the public.

He added:  “We want to make a difference to Archway. Over the last six or seven years plans to regenerate the area have come and gone. Often they have involved a large developer with grandiose plans for supermarkets which people didn’t want. 

“We plan to do things a bit at a time while consulting with the public.”

Kate Calvert, chairwoman of the Better Archway Forum, welcomed the proposals. 

“Archway roundabout is a difficult place to reach and very under used,” she said. 

“We welcome all these proposals which could invigorate the town.”